31 July to 4 August 2025 - Some Runs, a Park and The Night Owls

The fourth and final Sale Sizzler 5km race of the season took place on 31 July, with a splendid turnout of 605 runners. With a 'good for me' time of 29:53, I came home in position 592. Sue was six minutes ahead and ready with a cup of water for me at the finish. Results may be found here.

Saturday morning found us at Wythenshawe parkrun number 628. This was Run Director Jenn's 500th parkrun. Here we are, lined up at the start.

Rather surprisingly, I managed 29:48, quicker than on the Sizzler course, in position 245 out of 421 finishers. Full results are here. What a contrast between these two events!

The usual suspects - me, Sue, Paul, Jeanette, Andy, Owen and Jenny were joined by Keith and Carol from Crosby on their 39th wedding anniversary, and non runners Nick and Daniella from Nuremberg. Nick is an old university pal of mine and is mentioned elsewhere on these pages in the context of Via Ferrata escapades, and my first Alpine backpacking trip to the Lechtal Alps in 1980.

Sunday's Wythenshawe Community run was the last in a trio of 5km runs for me, and I was fairly tired after getting around the same course as the Sizzler in 33:33. Why do you feel more tired after a slower run?

Anyway, Monday's 5km was at a leisurely walking pace, on a nice route from home that incorporates De Quincey Park, looking as green as is possible in midsummer.

Later, the hotpot supper evening at Eagley Jazz Club was enlivened by good food (delicious cheesecake) and a great performance by Salford's jazz band, The Night Owls.

Saro, Sangeerththa and Sophie were all in good form, as well as Reg.

Superb...

Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July 2025 - Three Runs

18 July - Sale Sizzler (3)

Sue did the 5km in 23:35, wheras I took 29:15 and finished in position 384 out of 392 finishers.

There was someone behind me!

19 July - Wythenshawe parkrun #626

Sue was tail walker, so I was quicker than her today. She's pictured below with Paul and Jan, who kindly got me a coffee whilst waiting for me to finish in 33:46, in position 324 out of 411 finishers. Quite a few behind me today!

Ready for Charley's wedding?

Run Director Andy was having to walk due to plantar fasciitis Get better soon, Andy 

20 July - Hathersage Hilly Triathlon

I went to the second transition point as I was just doing the 6.5km run as part of Richard and Jenny's relay team. It was fairly deserted.

Meanwhile, at the pool, the swimmers were doing 14 of the 30 metre lengths (420 metres in total).

This was Sue's first Sprint Triathlon. She broke many of the multitude of rules. Here she is doing backstroke - an outlawed style. She was lucky not to be disqualified.

The new 'tri-suit' came in handy

The first transition to a 20km hilly bike ride was accomplished without too much drama

Meanwhile, the leaders were finishing their runs.

Jenny did the swim and handed over to Richard for the bike ride. Here, I'm waiting for him at Transition 2.

Richard turned up, and our transition went well.

The run was hilly.

I missed a turn where the volunteer marshal was a 'no show', so (together with others) my 6.5km run was extended to 7.6km, with over 200 metres ascent. It took me over an hour, during which time it started to rain.

Sue nearly caught up with me, despite our relay team having started half an hour before her.

We each got a nice little wooden medal

Here's our relay team at the finish

Sue W had set off later and did the Triathlon in a similar time to Sue B. She is pictured below with Phil, who withdrew due to an injury. By now the rain was heavy and we all got rather wet before adjourning to the pool café.

All good fun. Here are our results. I promise to do better next time!

July 4 to 6, 2025 - A Bit Of Running

Here are Jan, me, Paul and Andy after Saturday's parkrun at gloomy Fletcher Moss (Wythenshawe having been cancelled).

That followed an energetic session on Friday evening for me and Sue, when we took part in the second Sale Sizzler 5km race of the season. There was rain in the air - in contrast to the first race, so my camera was left behind. Anyway, our times were quicker - 28:17 for me in position 390 out of 402 finishers, and Sue came home in position 337 in a good time of 23:48. It's very much a race, and despite my best time for a while, there were very few finishers after me and I was last in my age group. The hazards of old age...!

Full results are here.

During the Sizzler, I noticed that we passed a new fence and gate across the parkrun course. Luckily the bottleneck it may cause is towards the end of the lap (ie half way round the 5km route).

On to Saturday, Sue travelled to Trentham Park to join 870 other runners on their excellent one lap course. She managed 25:34, in position 132, and was the first of many in her age group and in the top ten age related position. Well done.

Meanwhile, on a very overcast morning, I took a very gentle 31:49 at Fletcher Moss, finishing in position 311 out of 441 starters. What a contrast with the race the previous evening!

Here's the field by the start.

Jeanette, despite nursing a long-term injury, turned up in a flash new car with har walking poles.

It's a bit of a squeeze for 440 people at the start, where I started at the back with Jeanette.

Jan, Paul and Andy dashed round and finished well ahead.

Jeanette wisely took it very easy.

Full results are here.

I was sensible on Sunday and simply volunteered at the Wythenshawe Community run, taking care of the 2km turnaround point.

Here's the leader, Andrew, who came storming past.

Some of the 79 runners carry on to run 5km, others turn around for the 2km route. The following are just a few pictures taken at this point.

All very jolly, despite a bit of drizzle.